Health Resources

When Slip-and-Fall Accidents Result in Knee Injuries

Slip and fall injuries and trip and fall injuries are both cases that are listed under the expansive law of premise liability. Typically, when someone has a slip and fall, they fall backwards. However, in a trip and fall, they usually fall forwards. Sometimes serious injuries can result from these, and often times it is to the knees. Knee injuries are the most common type of injuries from both types of these falls can result from blunt trauma to the patella or unnatural twisting in the knee. The most common types of knee injuries that result from both slip and falls and trip and falls are:

Strains and sprains: The tendons and muscles in your knee may strain or sprain unnaturally when extended too far. This means that they will stretch very far but not tear, however swelling may occur and you may feel a stiffness in your knee when trying to walk. Bruising may occur, but as long as you rest a lot, elevate your affected leg, ice the injury and be sure to you do not allow any extra stress on the injury you should be okay.

Fractures:Fractures in the knee are very common in trip and falls. The patella bone is typically fractured, and this can lead to extensive surgery and physical therapy. A cast will most likely be applied to the area for around two months, and can immobilize you. When a displaced fracture occurs, the muscles that are all attached to the patella pull it apart and it bursts into tiny pieces.

Tears in Ligament and Cartilage:MRIs show if there has been any torn ligaments or cartilage in your knee. The most common area for a tear is the area between the shinbone and the thigh bone, known as the meniscus. Two menisci are present in each knee, so if it is torn than the knee may not be fully supported anymore and can require surgery. This tends to lead to arthritis, even after proper surgery.

Tearing of the ACL: The anterior cruciate ligament (or ACL) is one of the four main ligaments that connect our thighbones to our shinbones. Injuries to the ACL occur when there is awkward pivoting, unnatural forces put into it, and landings in which the foot is not entirely planted. A tear of the ACL can be extremely uncomfortable and painful due to the restriction of range of motion. Victims of ACL tears require surgery and a long recovery time.